The highly enjoyable yet irrational TV show, Outer Banks, made its comeback on February 23, 2023, reuniting the Pogues and Kooks in the midst of a social class feud along the North Carolina coast. Despite its evident decline in appeal and logical consistency, the latest season, comprising ten episodes, still manages to provide a good deal of amusement in various aspects.
Outer Banks used to have a clear direction in its storytelling, but the third season appears to have deviated greatly from that path, with a plot that lacks consistency and coherence, and where seemingly anything can happen. This is particularly concerning given that the show has already been renewed for a fourth season, which is a rare privilege on Netflix, even before the third season had aired.
The third season of Outer Banks has perhaps amplified or made more apparent the unlikable elements of the show. Nevertheless, it also exhibits a greater boldness, conviction, and craziness in the way it handles its characters and plotlines, which will undoubtedly appeal to viewers who enjoy indulging in guilty pleasures.
Breaking Down Outer Banks Season 3: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Outer Banks season 3 is an extravagant spectacle. Initially, the show followed a logical narrative with occasional elements of peculiarity, but it has now fully transformed into a plot that is heavily reliant on an adventure and riddled with logical inconsistencies. Despite this, it is still difficult to consider the season as a letdown at first glance.
This is partly due to the absurd position the characters found themselves in at the end of season 2. The third season resumes several weeks after the events of the previous season, with John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and the new addition Cleo stranded on a Caribbean island following the events of the season 2 finale.
Despite a few instances of consistent story progression, the group is quickly swept up in an unrealistic pursuit of the lost city of El Dorado, which is a common cliché in this type of genre. A new antagonist, Carlos Singh played by Andy McQueen, is introduced, but he is considerably weaker than previous villains. Although the character seems promising in theory, both the portrayal and the character arc fall short, making him one of the worst characters in Outer Banks‘ history.
On the other hand, the reappearance of John B’s father, Big John Routledge portrayed by Charles Halford, is a more substantial plot development that benefits from character growth. Unfortunately, all of these positive aspects are undermined as the series approaches the halfway point and starts to lose its coherence.
By the sixth episode of Outer Banks season 3, the show appears to be more confused than ever. In the latter half of the season, one of the worst choices made by the creators was to attempt to bring some logical coherence to the plot. This decision had terrible repercussions, resulting in the season being the least remarkable one so far.
Despite its flaws, the positives of Outer Banks season 3 are likely sufficient to entice its existing fan base, as it provides more drama, adventure, action, and overall more of what they have come to expect from the show. However, the season falls short of convincing viewers seeking a logical or intelligent storyline. It remains to be seen whether the fourth season will improve upon the third or sink even further.